Overview

Organizations award grants to advance internal priorities that sit behind their public mission.
These priorities vary by sector, but they often include reputation building, community presence, and long-term positioning inside the markets or regions they serve.

Some programs reinforce a company's identity.

Others support workforce development, strengthen relationships with partners, or deepen reach within specific communities.

Recent data underscores how significant these priorities have become:

• Corporate giving in the United States reached $44.4 billion in 2024

• Companies participating in CECP's Giving in Numbers survey reported a median community investment of $22.9 million

• 87% of participating companies use corporate purpose as a guide for social investment decisions

Corporate grantmaking operates as a strategic function tied directly to organizational priorities and market positioning.

Applications that reflect a connection to these priorities feel easier to support because the alignment is immediately recognizable.

What's Next

The next lesson explores the internal goals that shape grantmaking decisions and influence where organizations direct their funding.